a quick greeting

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a quick greeting" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a brief or informal way of saying hello or acknowledging someone. Example: "Before the meeting started, I offered a quick greeting to everyone in the room."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

Mr. Bush and Mr. Gore shook hands and exchanged a quick greeting, their first meeting since Mr. Bush's inauguration.

The New York Times

Another year, he scrawled a quick greeting on the back of a mass-produced card with a generic holiday verse printed on the back.

The Guardian - Books

When their beats cross, police officers and soldiers usually communicate with a wave, a smile or a quick greeting, as when a police cruiser passes a military checkpoint and the officers say: "Stay safe," or "Good evening, gents".

The New York Times

He nods a quick greeting here and there in the ultratrendy club, designed to evoke a forsaken gentlemen's club in Haiti circa the 1940's, or something like that.

The New York Times

Although he sold Lutece to Ark Restaurants in 1994, he still owns the building and lives on the top floor, as he has for 32 years, entering through the restaurant with a quick greeting to his ex-staff members who remain on duty.

The New Yorker

There is something nice about sending a quick greeting with the human element of your voice, without interrupting someone's day by making his or her phone ring.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

After a quick (silent) greeting she made herself right at home playing with the puzzles at the table whilst I spoke to the teacher.

Huffington Post

Maybe you can send a DM to a Twitter friend you haven't seen in person for a while, or shoot a quick LinkedIn greeting to a former colleague.

Huffington Post

With an N.H.L. fine of as much as $1 million still in place for unauthorized remarks by team officials, most leaving the meeting refused to speak to reporters beyond exchanging quick greetings.

The New York Times - Sports

Besides a quick receiving-line greeting from Mrs. Clinton at the reunion, Mr. Peavoy has had just one direct contact with her in 38 years.

The New York Times

Greet friends with a simple greeting and maybe a quick hug if you're close.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a quick greeting" in situations where you want to acknowledge someone briefly without engaging in a lengthy conversation.

Common error

While "a quick greeting" is acceptable, avoid using it repeatedly in close proximity. Vary your language with synonyms like "brief hello" or "short salutation" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a quick greeting" functions as a noun phrase, where "quick" modifies the noun "greeting". It describes the act of greeting someone in a brief and efficient manner. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is both correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Wiki

28%

Huffington Post

12%

Less common in

The New York Times - Sports

2%

Vice

2%

TechCrunch

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a quick greeting" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a brief acknowledgment or salutation. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in diverse contexts. The phrase is versatile, fitting into both casual and professional settings, though it's important to use it judiciously to avoid repetition. Alternatives such as "brief hello" or "short salutation" can add variety to your writing. Primarily found in news and media, this phrase is a staple for everyday communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

A brief hello

Replaces "greeting" with a more informal term and "quick" with "brief", emphasizing the brevity.

A brisk greeting

Uses "brisk" to suggest a lively and efficient greeting.

A rapid greeting

Emphasizes the speed of the greeting.

A short salutation

Uses a more formal synonym for "greeting", while maintaining the brevity.

A momentary hello

Focuses on the very short duration of the greeting.

A swift welcome

Similar to "hasty", but perhaps slightly more positive in connotation.

A hasty welcome

Emphasizes the speed and lack of ceremony in the greeting.

A passing greeting

Suggests the greeting was exchanged while passing by someone.

A fleeting acknowledgment

Highlights the momentary nature of the greeting.

A curtailed greeting

Highlights that the greeting was shorter than usual

FAQs

How can I use "a quick greeting" in a sentence?

You can use "a quick greeting" to describe a brief and informal acknowledgment. For example: "I gave "a quick greeting" to my neighbor as I rushed to work."

What are some alternatives to "a quick greeting"?

Alternatives include "a brief hello", "a short salutation", or "a hasty welcome", depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is "quick greeting" ever appropriate without the article "a"?

While grammatically acceptable in certain informal contexts, using the article "a" before "quick greeting" is generally preferred for clarity and grammatical correctness in most formal writing scenarios.

What's the difference between "a quick greeting" and "a warm greeting"?

"A quick greeting" implies brevity and informality, whereas "a warm greeting" suggests friendliness and enthusiasm. The choice depends on the desired tone and the nature of the interaction.